[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 130 (Wednesday, July 31, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BIPARTISAN BUDGET ACT OF 2019

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, the Senate needs to pass the 
bipartisan budget agreement secured by the administration with Speaker 
Pelosi. The deal we have in front of us is a product of extensive 
negotiations between President Trump's team and the Democratic House. I 
am confident it is not exactly the legislation that either side of the 
aisle would have written if one party held the White House, the House, 
and had 60 votes in the Senate. That is what we call divided 
government, but I am equally confident that this is a deal that every 
one of my colleagues should support when we vote on it in the near 
future.
  This government funding agreement is the right deal for our national 
defense. It is the right deal because it ensures the United States 
maintains its full faith and credit. It is the right deal because it 
brings predictability and stability through 2020 and moves toward 
restoring regular appropriations. It is the right deal because it 
secures these priorities without partisan poison pill riders that would 
take us backward on the issue of protecting human life and curtail 
central Presidential authorities.
  The Republicans' No. 1 priority was investing in our national 
defense. After 8 years of neglect and atrophy under the Obama 
administration, Congress has worked hand-in-hand with the Trump 
administration to begin writing a new chapter. More of the resources 
our Armed Forces need, more flexibility for commanders, more cutting-
edge tools for U.S. servicemembers, and more investments in 
modernization will not only rebuild the military that we need today but 
set us on the trajectory we need to be on to secure our future.
  All in all, I don't think any Senators are actually rooting for a 
destabilizing continuing resolution. I certainly don't think any 
Senators are rooting for a debt limit crisis that could put our full 
faith and credit at risk. I believe that every one of our colleagues 
wants this agreement to pass. That means every one of our colleagues 
should actually vote for it.
  The House has passed this deal. The President is ready and eager to 
sign it. It is our turn to do our job.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cramer). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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