[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 184 (Monday, November 18, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             APPROPRIATIONS

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, the minority leader is so committed to 
his campaign rhetoric, calling the Senate a political graveyard, that 
he is killing the House-passed appropriations package that funds our 
national defense and pays our troops.
  Leader McConnell has twice moved to take up the House bill that funds 
the Pentagon, as well as the Departments of State, Health and Human 
Services, Energy, Education, and others, but the majority leader has 
been constantly blocked by the Democrats.
  The minority leader claims to be shocked and outraged that the Senate 
isn't taking up partisan messaging bills from the House when it is very 
normal for both Houses not to take up every bill passed by the other 
Chamber. That doesn't apply to appropriations, however, because one 
thing is very certain: We have to fund the government, and those bills 
absolutely have to come up and be passed by both Houses.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. 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for the quorum call be rescinded.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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