Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2006

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006

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Mr. GREGG. I think the assistant Democratic leader's counsel is very appropriate and hopefully will be listened to.

The debate we have is a large State/small State debate over a formula. This is authorizing language being put on an appropriations bill, which we in the Appropriations Committee try to avoid. As a practical matter, this bill allocates funds. I hope Members will take a look at the allocation we did in this bill because this program has not been authorized.

Our theory in this allocation process was to have a threat-based allocation. I feel very strongly that this whole bill has been redirected with the work of Senator Byrd--I note that this is his belief also--we reworked the bill to be a threat-based bill. We did it in the area of border security, weapons of mass destruction, and we did it in the area of this formula. We protected and grandfathered all the States so the States going through upgrades of trying to get their first responder house in order will not see a devastating cut in what they are receiving. Everything over the grandfathered amount essentially moves on the basis of threat. So the actual appropriation in the bill falls about halfway between the two theories being put forward here by the competing interests relative to how this formula should be designed on the authorizing side. I just note that for my colleagues' edification.

At this time, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.

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