Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008

Floor Speech

CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT -- (Senate - December 19, 2007)

Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, last night I indicated my strong concerns about the omnibus appropriations bill, a bill that I expected to include all domestic spending as well as funding for the war in Iraq. Notably, I discussed my grave misgivings about funding for the President's disastrous, ongoing and ill-conceived war. I also raised my unease with last-minute additions of loan guarantees for questionable energy sources, such as the building of new nuclear power and for coal-related energy, especially coal to liquids.

Last night, I voted against an amendment to provide the President with a blank check for his war. Until even later in the evening, I thought that the war funding would be attached to the domestic spending legislation set for vote that evening. However, it was clear by the time of the domestic spending vote that the Iraq war funds were kept separate. I remain very concerned with the nuclear and coal loan guarantees that were inserted, I decided that, on balance, the domestic spending bill that would fund, among other important priorities, community health centers and health care for many Americans in need, deserved my support. I regret the insertion of the ill-conceived loan guarantees and will work with my colleagues to address them.

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