Congress Leaves To Campaign After Passing Security-Related Bills
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn briefly holds up a defense authorization bill as his fellow Republican lawmakers scramble to push through a series of security-related bills before heading
Saturday, September 30th 2006, 3:35 pm
By: News On 6
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn briefly holds up a defense authorization bill as his fellow Republican lawmakers scramble to push through a series of security-related bills before heading to the campaign trail.
In a flurry of activity before their departure early Saturday morning, the Senate gave final approval to $448 billion for the Pentagon.
Coburn held up the defense authorization bill because House-Senate negotiators dropped a provision he sponsored to analyze the costs effects of lawmakers' pet projects, called ``earmarks,'' on Pentagon operations.
Coburn agreed to let the legislation go to a voice vote after he received a promise that his provision will be taken up when Congress returns in November.
He says the American people ought to be seeing where lawmakers are spending taxpayers' money.
Get The Daily Update!
Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox!