Cord Byrd: “I have taken the floor on a number of occasions... to express my concern about the manner in which the Senate was…”

“I have taken the floor on a number of occasions... to express my concern about the manner in which the Senate was disposing of certain appropriation bills. This year--as in three previous fiscal years... the Senate has, until today, again been unable to take up and debate and amend several fiscal year 2001 appropriations bills; namely, Treasury/ General Government, VA/HUD, and Commerce/Justice/State appropriations bills. I have been deeply concerned that the Senate is in danger of becoming a mere adjunct of the House, when it comes to consideration of appropriations bills. In light of the circumstances in which we find ourselves... I was pleased to support the unanimous consent agreement... the Senate has before it this morning the Fiscal Year 2001 VA/HUD Appropriations bill, as amended by the Senate Appropriations Committee. That Committee-reported bill has been amended by a Committee substitute offered by Senators Bond and Mikulski. Despite the fact that the Senate has not taken up the VA/HUD Appropriations bill until today, the fact is that Chairman Bond and Ranking Member Mikulski have worked tirelessly on the substitute before the Senate today.”