At a time when federal deficits are running hundreds of billions beyond revenues, it's hard to understand criticizing a senator for voting to keep spending under control.

Yet, Sen. Olympia Snowe is drawing flak from Democrats for not wanting to attach $2 billion in emergency funding for veterans' concerns to a bill that was already allocating $81 billion to pay for military expenses and reconstruction costs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

That decision has very little to do with whether or not the Veterans Affairs Department could use the money, and very much to do with a commitment to fiscal responsibility, which Snowe has displayed in other areas as well.

Notably, she has backed "pay-go" provisions that require increases in spending be covered either with tax receipts or reductions in other parts of the federal budget.

It's important to note that Snowe supports increased VA funding as a non-emergency measure and has not neglected veterans' issues. During Senate consideration of the federal budget last month, she supported efforts to increase funding for veterans health care by $1.2 billion.

Snowe and Sen. Susan Collins have also asked the Senate appropriations committee to add $2.6 billion in this year's appropriations process above President Bush's requested amount.

While the $2 billion Snowe voted against contained $40 million that would have come to New England, it was not all for Togus VA Medical Center in Maine. It was to be divided up among eight medical centers and 37 community outpatient clinics all over the region, as determined by the VA.

In addition, Snowe points out that the Togus facility is not running a $12 million debt, as was alleged by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. The release late last year of VA reserve funding has brought that debt down to $4.9 million.

All in all, Snowe has taken many responsible positions on federal spending, including this one. She deserves credit, not blame, for her stands.