Jay Rockefeller: “I rise to explain why I believe the Senate should reject the amendment offered by the distinguished Senator from…”

“I rise to explain why I believe the Senate should reject the amendment offered by the distinguished Senator from Arkansas to cancel funding for wind tunnels. Before getting into the arguments for proceeding with this program, I want to remind my colleagues of some essential facts about the bill before us. This bill, labeled the Defense supplemental and rescissions appropriations, will cut the Federal deficit. Its first goal is to replenish critical parts of the Defense Department's budget, and it does that by transferring funds from other areas. That means we are not asking the American taxpayers to borrow. And because this is an opportunity to shave the Federal budget, this bill also contains $1.5 billion of cuts in Government spending for the sole purpose of reducing the deficit. Here is more proof that one does not need to amend the Constitution to shrink the deficit. But the Federal budget is always an exercise in setting priorities. Certain needs, from the country's military security to our social fabric, have to guide how we make choices about Government spending. And I would argue that we need to keep planning for the future, especially to invest in opportunities to sustain the country's economic strength and jobs. That is why I question and oppose the amendment by my friend from Arkansas.”