‘There are hundreds of millions of dollars in pork barrel spendin...

“There are hundreds of millions of dollars in pork barrel spending” in conference report (H.-Rpt. 107-278) on FY 2002 Commerce, Justice and State Depts. appropriations bill (HR-2500), Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) said. McCain, who cast lone dissenting vote (CD Nov 16 p8) against measure Nov. 15, expressed particular concern with Advanced Technology Program (ATP) of National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) that would get $184.5 million under bill. ATP provides financial and technical support to R&D projects, but not to product development, of industries ranging from computers and communications to batteries and electronics imaging. McCain said White House had asked Congress to suspend ATP funding until Dept. of Commerce reevaluated program: “The Secretary of Commerce has not released the results of that review nor any recommended changes to the program to the Commerce Committee. As we all know, the nation currently is involved in both war and economic downturn, and this $184.5 million should be spent on higher priorities than a welfare program for special corporate interests.” NIST spokesman said he had consulted with Commerce officials, who declined to respond to McCain’s comments.