February 13, 2003  

RAMSTAD CALLS OMNIBUS BILL
"INSULT TO THE TAXPAYERS"

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN) voted against the

$397.4 billion omnibus spending bill, calling it an "insult to the taxpayers."

"This is the most outrageous pork-barrel bill since I’ve been in Congress," said Ramstad, now serving in his 13th year.

"This omnibus bill spends $13 billion more than the President’s budget request," said Ramstad, "while actually cutting the homeland security request for first responders’ training and equipment by $456 million."

"I also opposed this omnibus bill because of the anti-environmental riders that weaken existing environmental protection laws," said Ramstad.

"To add insult to injury, this bill funds the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, Maxine Waters Employment Center and Senator Byrd’s office remodeling, to name but a few "pork" projects," said Ramstad. "This bill gives ‘pork’ a bad name."

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