Rep. Ike Skelton, speaking on the heels of Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, said that neither the Republican budget nor the administration budget reflected good defense policy.

"How do we maintain national security?" Rep. Skelton asked, suggesting that the US should recruit people who know what they are doing and who can understand the motivation of terrorists. "We are losing talented people in our military."

Rep. Hoyer requested that Democrats be allowed to continue speaking in favor of Alternative E. Rep. Barton objected.

"We're going to be late for the pizza," said Rep. Barton.

"I think we're talking about America's future," Rep. Hoyer responded.

David Obey explained the fiscal responsibility of Alt. E, which meets the deficit reduction goals in four years, and the strength of its education program.

Speaker Hastert, speaking for the first time regarding a Democrat Alternative, said he could not allow the Democrats to "pull a fast one" on the Congress and the country.

"This alternative raises taxes 600 billion dollars. Whichever way you cut it, tax increases hurt our economy," he said. "I yield my time to myself."

"I get another pithy but totally useless comment from the Democrats," said Speaker Hastert during a debate regarding truncating conversation on Alt. E. Bipartisan cooperation seemed to be deteriorating.

Rep. Hunter criticized the Democrats for cutting defense in order to reduce the deficit. Rep. Miller expressed concern about the effect of the GOP budget on beaches.

Democrat Alternative E failed to pass, garnering 19 votes in favor, 20 votes against, and two Republican abstentions.