[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS WORKS

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, late this afternoon the conference committee 
on the five major appropriations bills had a breakthrough and reached 
an agreement. I want to reinforce what has been said by other Members 
of leadership and by Chairman Hatfield, Chairman Livingston on the 
House side, and their Democratic counterparts.
  In my view, after a long, long difficult process, I believe we have a 
package that can be supported by hopefully nearly everybody on both 
sides of the aisle. Some will complain the cuts are not deep enough. 
Others are going to complain the cuts go too far. But I believe that in 
the final analysis we will save about $23 billion over the last fiscal 
year through the appropriations process. That is very significant. That 
is a lot of money.
  That is an indication that the appropriations process has worked and 
we can make reductions, the Government can continue even though we make 
reductions. Many of us hoped we could do better.
  There are also a number of environmental issues that were resolved to 
the satisfaction, I believe, of most everyone in the conference. Some 
will be raised again on subsequent appropriations bills. But I wanted 
to take a moment to thank all those who were involved in the 
negotiations and all those who were willing to give and take so that 
this matter could be resolved and get it behind us.
  It is time to move on to 1997 appropriations. We look forward to 
that. We hope we can pass all the appropriations bills by August 1 of 
this year. So keep in mind, we will take this up tomorrow. The House 
will act first. We hope to dispose of it before we go out tomorrow 
evening. We need to dispose of it before we go out tomorrow evening. 
But the bottom line is, according to those who have been keeping track 
of the numbers, we will save $23 billion this fiscal year because of 
the appropriators and the appropriations process and their good work.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The absence of a quorum has been suggested. 
The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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