The Chamber of Deputies approved the 2005 budget last night during a marathon session. Two readings of the budget were approved after an addendum sent over from the Executive Branch was attached to the bill. President Leonel Fernandez requested that the Deputies increase certain amounts for several institutions, such as the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (state university), “Corazones Unidos,” a charitable organization that treats heart patients, and the Dominican Rehabilitation Association, which tends to the needs victims of polio and other impediments. The President also asked that more money be given to the Central Electoral Board, the body that is charged with organizing the primaries for the various political parties.
As reported in all of the large-format newspapers, the budget session began just before 9pm and ended in the early hours of the morning. Although Alfredo Pacheco, the president of the Chamber of Deputies, had called the session into order at 2:30pm, it was not until 8:50pm that serious deliberations were begun. Apparently, according to the Listin Diario, a group of legislators had “halted the game” to coerce the government into paying the arrears on the money assigned to many of the NGOs, most of which belong to these very legislators. Their wish was granted and the session got underway. In view of the deputies’ approval, the Budget of Income and the Law of Public Expenditures will go to the Senate for approval. Part of the presidential addendum in Article 3 says that when the National Congress approves new income, the Executive Branch will adjust the budget, determine the distribution of the budget disbursements and send the request for approval of the new disbursements to Congress.