Russ Feingold: “I reluctantly voted against that conference report, because it contained a provision dramatically increasing the budget…”

“I reluctantly voted against that conference report, because it contained a provision dramatically increasing the budget caps, effectively throwing fiscal discipline to the wind. But I want to go on record indicating that, if the amendment busting the budget caps had not been included in the bill, my vote would have been an enthusiastic yes. Substantively, this is a remarkably good bill, and I commend the managers, Chairman McConnell and the ranking member, Senator Leahy, as well as Chairman Callahan and Congresswoman Pelosi for their excellent work. An unprecedented commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS abroad and full funding of the Administration's request for debt relief initiatives are among the many laudable provisions in the bill that complement this year's authorizing work of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The conference report contains significant assistance for important family planning work, which can help to bring better health and economic development to families and especially to women around the world. Moreover, I am pleased to see that the bill does not contain restrictive, so-called 'Mexico City' language designed to limit what private organizations can do with funds raised from non-U.S. government sources.”