[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5781]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS BILL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, after much deliberation from both sides 
of the aisle, today we will complete our work on the Energy and Water 
appropriations bill. We know this bill is the result of a great deal of 
effort, research, and collaboration across the aisle. It passed out of 
the committee unanimously. It was subject to nearly two dozen 
amendments from both parties on the floor. As Senator Alexander pointed 
out yesterday, we have clearly had an open process from the start that 
benefited both sides.
  The energy security and water infrastructure bill is important for 
our country. We know it will support commerce, public safety, waterway 
infrastructure, energy innovation, and our nuclear deterrence posture.
  We know it is important for the way forward on appropriations as 
well. Remember, following regular order--especially on the 
appropriations process--allows both Democratic and Republican Members 
to better represent their constituents' views. It provides for more 
open debate and deliberation. It offers a path to reaching a kind of 
product both sides can support. Empowering Members to make more 
judicious decisions about how taxpayer dollars are spent is something 
we should all want. So we know the appropriations process is important.
  I urge my colleagues to work together to keep moving these 
appropriations bills as both sides have expressed interest in doing.

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