[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 2, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S465-S466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                             Appropriations

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I want to follow up on the statement made 
by the Republican Senate leader, and I agree with many of the things he 
said. We disagree with others. But there is a way for us to show our 
commitment not only to our troops but to the defense of causes that are 
important to America, and it is in his hands. It is known as the 
appropriations bill for the Department of Defense. It is known as the 
appropriations and budget for the United States of America.
  Where are we now? We are on something called a continuing resolution. 
That means we haven't decided. We can't get an agreement from the 
Republican leader to move forward on the spending bills for this fiscal 
year, which began October 1. We are spending at last year's levels when 
the Biden administration has asked for more money for the Nation's 
defense, and who is stopping him? The Republican leader.
  So he can't have it both ways and argue we need to invest more in the 
defense of America and then stop us from an appropriations process that 
does just that. Let's get it done. This should have been done before 
last October 1, and his cooperation means it can be done now.
  Now, let me say there is another aspect to it. Many speeches are 
given about the rise in crime in America. I know this personally, 
representing the State of Illinois and the great city of Chicago. The 
number of violent gun crimes in this last calendar year was just 
shocking. When you look at all of the people who have been hurt and 
killed with the use of guns in cities across America, it is clear that 
we need to invest in our police force and law enforcement. Hold them 
accountable for the right values and the right conduct, but put in 
their hands the resources to

[[Page S466]]

protect us in our homes and our neighborhoods.
  What is holding that up? The same decision by the Republican leader 
not to bring any appropriations bills forward for approval by the 
Congress. This is just mindless. You can't preach on one hand that you 
want to fund the police and then stop the appropriations process, which 
the Republicans in the Senate have done.
  It is time to pass the Omnibus appropriations bill so the resources 
are going to ATF and to the U.S. Attorney's Offices and other law 
enforcement agencies that can help the State and local law enforcement 
efforts to try to suppress this violent crime.
  So don't preach about the need for this money and then turn around 
and stop the effort here on Capitol Hill. Why aren't we voting on an 
Omnibus appropriations bill this week? Why? Why can't we get this done 
next week? It was supposed to be done last October, and it is time for 
us to do it.