[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5033]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, when the new majority resolved to get 
the Senate back to work, we knew we would have to get committees 
functioning first. We believed that would be critical to helping 
Members on both sides rediscover their voices and find common ground 
and then develop real stakes in the outcome. That certainly is what we 
have seen this appropriations season.
  The Appropriations Committee has already held dozens of hearings. It 
has marked up funding bills at a steady clip. It is sending good 
legislation to the floor.
  One of those bills is the energy security and water infrastructure 
appropriations measure which is before us now. This legislation is 
important for American energy, for American waterways and ports, and 
for American commerce and safety. It will also maintain our nuclear 
deterrence posture by ensuring nuclear stockpile readiness, which is 
important for national security.
  I would like to recognize the bill managers for their diligent work 
to bring this legislation to the floor for consideration. I would also 
like to recognize the leadership of the Appropriations Committee for 
its work in getting this process moving. By returning to regular order, 
we have opened up the process and empowered Senators--both those who 
sit on the Appropriations Committee and those who do not--to have more 
of a say in the appropriations legislation. That is important because 
these funding bills can affect each of our States.
  The progress we have seen already is encouraging. It shows what is 
possible when the Senate gets back to a productive legislative process.

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