Making Supplemental Appropriations For The Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2010

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I voted to end debate on the House amendment to the supplemental appropriations bill because that amendment addresses important domestic priorities for Wisconsin and this country without adding a penny to the deficit. The amendment provides $10 billion to help school districts around the country facing funding shortfalls due to the ongoing recession, all of it paid for. It also provides almost $5 billion in fully offset funding to help ensure that the millions of low income students who receive Pell grants do not see reductions in their awards.

The House amendment also includes a provision to give public safety employees, like firefighters and police officers, collective bargaining rights. While Wisconsin and other States already protect public safety employees' collective bargaining rights, there are still several States that do not. Police officers, firefighters, and other public safety officers are on the front lines of protecting our communities and we should ensure that these hard working professionals have the ability to bargain for better wages and working conditions.

However, I continue to oppose funding for a massive, open-ended war in Afghanistan. This war funding will add tens of billions to our deficit without contributing to our national security.

Source