[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6801]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        TRANSPORTATION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS BILLS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, last week, the Republican-led Senate 
passed two more appropriations bills by a large bipartisan majority. 
Both bills passed out of committee with unanimous support, were subject 
to hours of debate and deliberation, and included the input of both 
Democratic and Republican Senators.
  The first appropriations measure, for transportation and housing 
infrastructure, will help ensure air travel is safer and more 
efficient, invest in important infrastructure, and strengthen America's 
surface transportation network.
  As Senator Collins pointed out last week, this bill includes 
``recommendations from more than 75 Senators from both sides of the 
aisle'' as well as more than three dozen amendments. I thank my friend 
from Maine for her skilled leadership and hard work with Ranking Member 
Reed of Rhode Island and colleagues from both sides to advance this 
measure.
  The second funding measure, for veterans and military construction, 
will ensure that veterans receive benefits and health care they have 
earned while enhancing oversight and accountability at the VA, helping 
improve quality of life on military bases for soldiers and their 
families, and advancing critical national security projects like 
missile defense. As Senator Kirk noted last week, this bill 
incorporates over two dozen amendments, both from Democrats and 
Republicans. Senator Kirk is a true champion for veterans. I know he 
always had the needs of our heroes top of mind as he worked with 
Democrats, with Republicans, and in particular with Ranking Member 
Tester of Montana to move this critical bill forward.
  By returning to regular order and working through the appropriations 
process, we have been able to pass appropriations measures like these 
that support national priorities in a responsible way.
  I also appreciate Senators working toward a compromise approach for 
Zika. Preventing the spread of Zika is a priority for all of us, and I 
am pleased the Senate has approved a compromise provision to focus 
resources on this important health issue. We have now begun discussions 
on how best to resolve the differences between the House and the Senate 
and get a bill to the President.

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