October 22, 2003   D.C. SHOULD HAVE MORE CONTROL OVER ITS OWN MONEY Lieberman Applauds Committee Approval of Budget Autonomy Bill Urges Senate Passage of Network Protection Legislation   WASHINGTON – Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., Wednesday said approval of legislation that would give the District of Columbia additional authority to approve the locally raised portion of its budget was an important step toward home rule. At a business meeting, the committee unanimously approved S. 1267, the District of Columbia Budget Autonomy Act, which will eliminate some of the delay and uncertainty in the District’s budget process and give the District greater control over use of locally-raised funds. Lieberman also urged his Senate colleagues to support a requirement, also approved by the committee, that federal agencies protect their computer systems from the security and privacy threats posed by file-sharing software. Approximately 90 percent of the District’s budget is funded through locally-raised funds. Yet, under current law, the District cannot spend these funds until the federal government approves its portion of the D.C. budget through the annual appropriations process. In Fiscal Year 2003, the District was forced to operate without a budget for nearly six months because of Congressional delays. “The federal appropriations process frequently drags on well into the new fiscal year,” Lieberman said, “translating into real problems for the District. The District should not be held hostage by Congress’ inability to meet its own budget deadlines – especially when a delay costs the city money and impairs its ability to deliver services to city residents. This bill will help remove the uncertainty that has plagued some of D.C.’s past budgets, and give the District greater control over its own funds. It is an idea that is long overdue, and it represents an important step toward full home rule.” Lieberman was an original co-sponsor of the bill. Lieberman also applauded the Committee for approving The Government Network Security Act of 2003, H.R.3159. Popular peer-to-peer software can be used to spread worms and viruses, and some people using the P2P software unintentionally share other files from their computer. “Downloading the software onto federal computers could lead to the unauthorized disclosure of personal information,” Lieberman warned. “This legislation does not preclude agencies from using peer-to-peer software, as there may be legitimate uses for the technology. It merely requires agencies to put appropriate protections in place.” Lieberman commended House Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., and ranking member Henry Waxman, D-Calif., for their work on the bill, and urged its passage in the Senate. Click here for a complete list of legislation marked up at the business meeting:   ###   Printable Version   Related File(s)   Bills Approved at October 22, 2003 Business Meeting « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 October 2003 Press Releases   October 31 - McCain, Reed, DeWine, Lieberman to Offer Gun Show Background Check Amendment to Gun Immunity Bill   October 30 - Dodd, Lieberman Announce Grants for Connecticut Fire Fighters   October 30 - Lieberman Condemns Bush Administration Plan to Open Wilderness-like Lands to Oil and Gas Industry   October 29 - Lieberman Queries DHS on Insecurity of Plum Island   October 28 - Senators Question Weaknesses in Border Protection, Especially Risk Assessment of Cargo   October 27 - Lieberman Mourns District's First Elected Mayor   October 24 - Lieberman Seeks Investigation of Ricin Response   October 24 - Senators Seek Investigation of Impact of CIA Agent's Exposure   October 23 - Barbara Kennelly Post Office in Hartford Approved by Committee   October 22 current Press Release   October 22 - Senators Question Excessive Reliance on Consultants for Proposed Outsourcing of Immigration Information Officers   October 22 - Lieberman, Durbin: GAO Study Shows Federal Regulatory Process Still not Open to the Public   October 21 - Federal Electronic Rulemaking Progresses, But More Work is Needed   October 17 - DOD Privacy Protections Questioned by Bipartisan Trio Collection of JetBlue Passenger Information May Have Violated the Law   October 17 - Lieberman to White House: Speed Up Document Production for September 11th Commission   October 15 - Democrats Seek Security Training for Flight Crews   October 15 - Lieberman Reacts to 9/11 Commission Decision to Subpoena Administration for Documents   October 14 - Lieberman Pushes for Bio-Terror Preparedness on Second Anniversary of Senate Anthrax Attack   October 10 - Lieberman Says DHS and Department of Education Should Work to Prepare Schools for Terrorist Attacks   October 10 - Lieberman Questions Administration Commitment to Clean Air Litigation   October 8 - Lieberman, Jeffords Seek Plans for Protection of Water, Other Vital Services   October 8 - Lieberman, Dodd Announce Grants for Connecticut Fire Fighters   October 3 - Sunshine for Iraqi Reconstruction Projects Included in Iraqi Spending Bill   October 3 - Lieberman, Levin Introduce Improved Independent Counsel Law   October 2 - Administration Preparing to Let Air Polluters Off Hook
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510