[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 12, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                           Government Funding

  Mr. President, on appropriations, we have 10 days left for both 
parties in both Chambers to finish the work of fully funding the 
government. Both parties continue making progress on appropriations 
related to Defense, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Labor and 
Health and Human Services and Education, the Legislative Branch, and 
State and Foreign Operations.
  Both parties took a huge step last week when we passed the first six 
appropriations bills with strong bipartisan support. We protected 
important programs for moms and kids, for veterans, for the 
environment, for housing, and for so much more. But the job is only 
halfway done, and passing the second group of appropriations bills, of 
course, is not going to be easy. We got a lot of bipartisan momentum 
last week when we avoided the government shutdown on Friday, but both 
sides are going to have to keep working in good faith to keep that 
momentum alive.
  Just as the hard right was tuned out in last week's appropriations 
bills, they should be tuned out again because they clearly only delay 
the process instead of moving it along.
  It is going to take bipartisanship to ensure our military is fully 
supported and our troops are taken care of. It is going to take 
bipartisanship to fund the resources necessary to keep the Chinese 
Communist Party at bay. And it is going to take bipartisanship to make 
sure we take care of military families and provide their kids with 
childcare, healthcare, and everything else they need to live in dignity 
and strength.
  These are the things at stake in the upcoming funding deadline: 
outcompeting the Chinese Communist Party, taking care of military 
families, keeping Americans safe around the world.
  So Democrats will continue working with Republicans to finish the 
job. It can only be done in a bipartisan way. We know that.
  Thanks to my colleagues Chair Murray, Vice Chair Collins. Thanks to 
all the appropriators and their staffs and my staff, as well, that 
worked so hard on this. Let's make sure we keep last week's momentum 
going so we can finish the job.