[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 138 (Tuesday, December 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4818, CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005

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                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, November 20, 2004

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in reluctant support of the 
FY 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. I am disappointed that we are only 
now finishing the nine appropriations bills that should have been 
completed months ago. I am even more disappointed that this bill is 
inadequate in meeting the Nation's education, health care, and 
environment needs. It is outrageous that anti-environmental and anti-
choice provisions have been slipped into this legislation without 
previous consideration by this House.
  I will vote for this bill today because it is $4 billion closer to 
meeting our Nation's investment responsibilities that would be in the 
case under a continuing resolution of last year's funding levels. While 
this bill includes $14 billion more for our top domestic priorities, 
this increase pales in comparison to the $280 billion in tax cuts for 
this year alone.
  Congress must work to do a better job of balancing our priorities. I 
will continue to work to ensure that we make responsible investments 
for working families in the future.

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