Cord Byrd: “There are only 2 days--2 days--remaining in the fiscal year, and the Senate has passed only 2--only 2--of the 12…”

“There are only 2 days--2 days--remaining in the fiscal year, and the Senate has passed only 2--only 2--of the 12 appropriations bills. The Senate just adopted a continuing resolution to continue the operations of Government for 14 of the 15 Departments. This dismal performance is not the result of the work of the Appropriations Committee. The Appropriations Committee did its work and, on a bipartisan basis, reported all 12--all 12--of its bills by July 26. Chairman Cochran did an outstanding job, a remarkable job in leading the Appropriations Committee. Yes, the Appropriations Committee did its work, did it well. Yet, here we are, just 2 days--2 days--away from the new fiscal year, and not one--not one--appropriations bill has been signed into law. And as everyone knows, the most vital bills that have to be done before we go home are the appropriations bills or the Government will stop running. Only two are likely to be sent to the President before the majority leader recesses the Senate for the elections. The appropriations process has once again fallen victim to politics.”