[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 165 (Wednesday, September 23, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S5796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           GOVERNMENT FUNDING

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, now on another matter, yesterday the 
House passed a government funding resolution on a bipartisan basis. It 
will now make its way through the Senate.
  A few days ago, when House Democrats released their first draft, 
Republicans immediately spoke out about a huge omission. It 
intentionally neglected the needs of farm country and rural America. 
They tried to use our Nation's farmers and ranchers as a bargaining 
chip.
  Fortunately, thanks to the leadership of our colleague Senator Ernst, 
along with Senators Hoeven, Boozman, and many other Republican 
colleagues, we made it clear right away that we would not let Democrats 
leave farmers behind.
  The Commodity Credit Corporation is an essential source of funding 
for our farmers. For years it has been routinely refilled with 
bipartisan support, but this year Speaker Pelosi tried to take Middle 
America hostage for unrelated political brinksmanship.
  I am grateful to Senator Ernst and everyone who fought hard to fix 
the Democrats' bill. Republicans kept the Speaker of the House from 
adding insult to injury in such a challenging year for rural America.
  I know all Members will carefully review the continuing resolution 
sent over by the House. I am optimistic that, with bipartisan 
cooperation, we will be able to make law well before the government 
funding deadline at the end of this month.

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