Sen Rockefeller looks to hitch 'D-Block' to budget

One of the leading architects of a bipartisan Senate effort to build a nationwide data network for firefighters and police officers is suggesting the bill become part of the chamber’s deficit reduction plan.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, told reporters this week that such an approach “would be my hope,” though he added that currently there is “certainly no commitment from anybody” to proceed that way with the bill. For Chairman Rockefeller, the bill is ripe to become part of the budget package because it could raise new federal revenue at a time when top Senate negotiators are seeking offsets and other means of tamping down the deficit. “When you think about it, [the bill] does reduce the deficit by $10 billion, and it's wildly popular,” the senator said, adding, “It's very hard to be against it." Rolling the public safety network bill into a deficit reduction package could boost its legislative prospects, if for no other reason than that the budget is sure to command lawmakers’ attention during a packed Senate schedule over the next few months. Chairman Rockefeller is aiming to get the 'D-Block' bill through the Senate by the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11.