[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. McCONNELL. Mr. President, for weeks now, almost daily, I have 
spoken about the need to get our appropriations process back on track 
and the need for bipartisan agreement to fund the Federal Government 
and, particularly, to provide our military commanders with the 
resources and stability they need.
  That kind of smooth process was exactly what Congress was on track 
for just a few months ago. Leaders in both parties, in both Houses, and 
at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue signed onto a deal that set top-
line funding levels and ruled out obstacles like poison pills. Alas, as 
I have discussed at length, policy riders crept back into the process, 
and our discussions stalled. As a result, here we are again--behind 
schedule.
  We need to get results on appropriations before the end of the year. 
So, while the House and the Senate continue negotiations on setting the 
allocations, we need to buy more time. The House and the Senate need to 
pass a continuing resolution to fund the government through December 20 
and allow these talks to continue. The Senate can't originate this 
funding bill, but we will wait to receive legislation from the House 
and then vote on it before we head back to our home States.
  This is what we need: a CR, as clean as possible, through December 20 
to enable more progress on appropriations before the end of this year. 
A clean CR through December 20 would pass the Senate, and the White 
House has indicated that President Trump would sign it. Let me say that 
again. The administration indicates the President is willing and ready 
to sign a clean CR through December 20 so that we can finish our work.
  This is our opportunity to get a bipartisan process back on track. 
First, with bipartisan, bicameral cooperation, we can safely fund the 
Federal Government through mid-December so talks can continue. Then, 
with more cooperation, we can reach agreement on allocations and pass 
as many of the 12 appropriations bills as possible before the end of 
the year.

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