[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 209 (Tuesday, December 19, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S6067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           NATIONAL SECURITY

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, you, the Senator from Colorado, have 
voiced increased optimism in getting a supplemental done, and I agree 
with the Senator from Colorado. This won't be easy, but we will keep 
working because this is so important to our country and to the world.
  I read a statement that Senator McConnell and I issued a few hours 
ago, a joint statement regarding supplemental national security 
legislation:

       Bipartisan border security negotiations are essential to 
     the Senate's efforts to address critical national security 
     priorities. Our colleagues are making encouraging progress on 
     this front.
       Challenging issues remain, but we are committed to 
     addressing needs at the southern border and to helping allies 
     and partners confront serious threats in Israel, Ukraine and 
     the Indo-Pacific. The Senate will not let these national 
     security challenges go unanswered.
       As negotiators work through remaining issues, it is our 
     hope that their efforts will allow the Senate to take swift 
     action on the national security supplemental early in the new 
     year.
       In the time remaining this year, Senate and administration 
     negotiators will continue to work in good faith toward 
     finalizing their agreement.

  Now I will move to pass the extension of the reauthorizing of the 
FAA. It is critical we extend this funding as so many Americans travel 
for the holidays. It is going to give us more time for a long-term 
funding measure in the new year, so passing FAA funding tonight is good 
news.

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