[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 168 (Friday, December 17, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H8767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

  (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HOYER. Ladies and gentlemen of the House, the situation we find 
ourselves in at this point in time is as follows: I have talked to the 
leader. He has talked to Senator McConnell. They cannot assure us that 
they will be able to either pass anything tonight or send us anything 
tomorrow. They don't have an agreement.
  In light of that, it is my judgment that the only alternative 
available to us is to pass, obviously, this short-term CR, which will 
keep the government open through Wednesday. We will leave after the 
last vote in this series, returning Tuesday at 10, with the first votes 
expected at 11.
  Senator Reid believes that by Monday they will be able to pass some 
continuing resolution or some appropriation process for some period of 
time. We don't know what that is. I just talked to Senator Reid 10 
minutes ago. There is not an agreement on that.
  I know that this is not a happy circumstance during the holiday 
period, to have to return here; but it would be less happy if we waited 
here this evening, tomorrow, Sunday and Monday with the Senate not 
sending us anything. I don't think that is fair to you.
  As a result, it is my intent that we will leave here after the last 
votes on this CR and send it to the Senate. The Senate will take it and 
will pass it. Senator McConnell and Senator Reid have agreed that they 
will pass this.
  It is a simple CR, as Chairman Obey and Mr. Lewis will explain, and I 
think that will accommodate us, to the extent it is possible to 
accommodate us at this time.
  I know everybody would like to finish today and go home for the 
holidays until we return January 5. I am in that rank myself. But we 
are where we are. That seems to me the best way to accommodate all of 
you, while at the same time accommodating our responsibility to take 
the action that is necessary to keep the government operating.

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