[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2262]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                               THE BUDGET

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, one of the most important things we do in 
the Senate throughout the year is to put together a budget. The budget, 
of course, on its face, is how we spend the money. However, it is much 
more than that. It sets the priorities of the Senate and the Congress 
and the Government, what the Government will do throughout the year, by 
adjudicating and allocating these expenditures to certain areas.
  In addition, of course, it has to do with the broader issue of what 
size Government we have, what is the role of the Government, and what 
is the role of the Federal Government vis-a-vis other governments. So 
it is one of the most important documents and one of the most important 
activities we engage in during the entire year.
  The President this evening will lay forth his priorities for 
budgeting, which, of course, will be very important. He will set out 
the expenditure level for this country. These things all become very 
important. We are going to hear more about it today.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Utah, Mr. Bennett.

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