[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 19, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4568]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                             Appropriations

  Mr. President, now on the minibus, while chaos seems to define 
everything the Republican-controlled House does, here in the Senate we 
have shown that bipartisanship is key to getting things done, and, 
tomorrow, Democrats and Republicans will get a chance to make sure that 
that bipartisanship continues.
  Unfortunately, last Thursday, a lone Senator, representing a very 
small group in this Chamber, tried to undermine the bipartisan 
appropriations process with procedural hurdles.
  Yesterday, my colleague Senator Murray, the chair of the 
Appropriations Committee, moved to get things back on track with a 
motion to suspend rule XVI and filed cloture on that motion. We will 
vote on that motion tomorrow. I believe that a clear majority of 
Senators want to see us continue on the appropriations process. I hope 
they vote to keep the appropriations process going tomorrow.
  Our colleagues on the other side have asked for regular order, and we 
have worked with them to make sure that that happens, just as it did on 
the NDAA bill. Our colleagues on the other side have asked for 
amendments, and we have worked with them to consider amendments. In 
fact, Senators Collins and Murray had a list of amendments that was 
going to go forward with the OK, I believe, of both the minority and 
majority leaders, until Senator Johnson threw the log in the tracks.
  Our Republican and Democratic leaders of the Appropriations Committee 
have asked to consider appropriations bills on the floor, and it is 
with their cooperation that these three bills--MILCON-VA, Agriculture, 
and Transportation-HUD--have been brought to the floor for 
consideration.
  Democrats want to work with our Republican colleagues whenever 
possible. No one pretends that we don't have disagreements--we do--but 
the important part is that, so far, disagreements have not stymied the 
process. Tomorrow's vote will be a chance to ensure that we keep that 
bipartisanship going.
  I thank my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee, especially 
Chair Murray and Vice Chair Collins, for their excellent work and hope 
we can see strong support tomorrow to continue the appropriations 
process here on the floor.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. 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 ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.