It isn't so much that the money would be lost, but if the money isn't spent in, let's say, the next three years, then it makes it hard to make a case for new money in three years. I know that's been a problem in the past. So the government, in taking its time in figuring out how to give it out, buys time in the back end.
On November 7th, 2006. See this statement in context.