July 27, 1979
Page 21110
Mr. PROXMIRE. If there are no further amendments, let me make one brief statement before I yield back the remainder of my time. With a heavy heart I am going to vote against the bill that I managed, a bill that came out of the subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee of which I am chairman.
I know it is unusual for a bill manager to vote against his own bill but I have no other alternative.
This bill is $1.8 billion over the budget resolution. Today we added $684 million in revenue sharing funds, $25 million for veterans medical care, $5 million for veterans State homes and $60 million for the 202 housing program. That excessive amount over the budget resolution just makes it impossible for me to support this bill. I say so with reluctance but I must take that position.
Mr. MUSKIE. Will the Senator yield?
Mr. PROXMIRE. I yield.
Mr. MUSKIE. I appreciate the statement the Senator has made. As I indicated in my statement earlier this morning, if the bill was not reduced, I, too, would oppose it. It has been increased by some $700 million, so I will join the Senator in voting against the bill. I know of no other way to indicate that we are going to substantially breach the budget if we start with this momentum in the first appropriations bill and we are continuing. I do not know what the end will be, but I expect the Senate will be shocked when we get to the second budget resolution which will increase a sharply increased budget deficit.
Mr. PROXMIRE. I yield to the Senator from Idaho.