[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 28 (Friday, February 14, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S2519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                FISCAL YEAR 2003 OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS

  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, my decision to vote for the omnibus 
spending bill late last night was a difficult one. It is the largest 
single spending bill ever passed by Congress. It represents work that 
should have been completed last fall, and crams into one bill what 
should have been 11 separate bills, each with its own separate debate 
and deliberation. This is no way to legislate, and the final product 
reflects that unfortunate process.
  I was gratified that many important obligations received funding, but 
unfortunately many others did not. At the same time, this massive 
document contains far too many provisions that were never exposed to 
the daylight of publicity and debate. My vote in favor of this bill was 
a very close call.
  First, the good news. Unlike an earlier version that I could not 
support, this bill restored funds for Byrne grants that local law 
enforcement agencies need in these dangerous times. In addition, I was 
able to add language that permits local police to use COPS money for 
the many hours of overtime involved as they meet the demands of 
homeland defense. Law enforcement projects in my State of Delaware, 
from State to county to local agencies, will receive $3.5 million in 
funds from that COPS program.
  But the bad news is that $3 billion for first responders was cut out 
of this legislation. Those are funds to support firefighters and police 
and local emergency response centers. Another $170 million was cut from 
the Transportation Security Administration, despite the obvious need 
for additional protection for our Nation's air, highway, and rail 
systems. Funds for port security and border security were also cut. The 
debate over these programs will continue soon, as we begin budget 
debates for the coming year and a security supplemental spending bill, 
and I will continue the fight to provide the citizens of this country 
all of the protection they need.
  And we must expose those last-minute, back-room deals that litter the 
thousands of pages of this legislation. Some are clear wastes of 
taxpayer money in these critical times. Others weaken important 
environmental protections, and have no place in these spending bills.
  On balance, I concluded that this legislation which allows the 
Federal Government to continue its important functions narrowly 
deserves my support. But there is much here that needs to be fixed, so 
the debate that should have occurred on this huge, complicated bill 
will continue.

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