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U.S. Sen. Bennett warns Utah lawmakers about funding gaps from continuing resolution, urges bipartisan work on Social Security and immigration
Summary
U.S. Sen. Robert Bennett told the Utah Senate that a federal continuing resolution extends FY2006 spending into 2007 and could leave many FY2007 initiatives unfunded; he urged bipartisan attention to Social Security reform and said immigration remains on the congressional agenda.
U.S. Sen. Robert (Bob) Bennett visited the Utah State Senate to report on federal developments and to answer senators’ questions about national policy and its likely state effects.
Bennett explained that Congress operated under a continuing resolution that extended FY2006 funding levels into 2007 and that the CR runs through Feb. 15. "We're spending money at 02/2006 levels in the 02/2007 fiscal year," Bennett said, and he warned that many initiatives in the FY2007 appropriations bills would not be funded unless put into the continuing resolution or restored later by earmark language.
He said some items—particularly research funding and scholarships intended for Utah higher education—may be at risk if those measures are not explicitly included in the CR or reinserted by earmarks. Bennett described the political headwinds in conference processes and media scrutiny over earmarks, and he urged senators to understand that federal funding flows will be "very confusing this year." He also encouraged Utah’s congressional delegation to press for inclusion of state priorities where possible.
On Social Security, Bennett said bipartisan action is needed and that the current political moment could be the opening to address long-term structural issues: "The time has come to deal with it," he said, noting that the matter has been discussed for many years and needs cross-party cooperation.
Asked about immigration, Bennett said the Senate previously passed immigration legislation and that the issue remained on the congressional agenda; he said he thought current congressional leadership would favor the Senate approach over the House in some respects but did not predict outcomes.
Bennett took questions about local land-sale bills and said he continued to press colleagues to consider a Utah bill crafted along existing precedents; he criticized selective opposition to similar measures in neighboring states.
After roughly an hour of remarks and questions, the Senate returned to business and dissolved the committee of the whole that had convened for the report.
