Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006

Floor Speech

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006 -- (Senate - October 27, 2005)

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Mr. SCHUMER. I thank the Chair. I want to add my voice in support of this amendment on behalf of Senator Clinton and myself.

We all know the help this country has generously offered those who put their lives on the line--some survived, some did not--after 9/11. Many emerged wounded. I want to add one other element here. When we negotiated with the President for the $20 billion, there was a great moment of unity. When this Congress stood up, it was a great moment of unity. I have to say the President has never wavered in his commitment of the $20 billion. In fact, the White House has been generous in granting us flexibility--seeking to take $2 billion of the tax dollars and move them to transportation.

This one rescission is the only mark where there has been a wavering in the commitment made to New York in those bleak weeks right after 9/11. We don't know how it came about. I doubt it came from the President--maybe somebody in OMB. But removing this rescission rights that wrong and keeps the ledger unblemished about this Nation's commitment to $20 billion to New York.

I thank Senator Specter and Senator Cochran for understanding that need, and Senator Clinton and I look forward to the fact that this amendment, which will now be in the Senate bill, will prevail in the House and that the White House will help us make that happen.

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