Political Quotes

“I am most pleased to be here today to manage consideration of this appropriations bill package. This includes the fiscal year 2019 bills for the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Financial Services and General Government; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; as well as Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. To distill it down, this evening we are taking up Interior, Financial Services, Ag, and THUD--or Transportation Housing Development. The opportunity to move forward with a package of appropriations bills, all of which have moved through our committee with strong support, is a good place to be. I have long believed that a return to regular order, where we vote these appropriations bills out of committee with bipartisan support, and then bring them to the floor, as we are doing this evening, is important for our process. I think all Members of the Senate should have an opportunity to debate appropriations bills and offer amendments. We haven't had this opportunity for some years prior to this. The occupant of the Chair, a member of the Appropriations Committee, knows we have been without process when it comes to our appropriations bills. It is now time for us not only to return to regular order but to allow other Members of this body who do not sit on the Appropriations Committee the opportunity to weigh in on these priorities.…”