Cord Byrd: “I appeal to all Senators to work together to get these appropriations bills up before the Senate, and let's act upon…”

“I appeal to all Senators to work together to get these appropriations bills up before the Senate, and let's act upon them. We should not go home with an omnibus bill, an omnibus CR. I don't know what the problem is, but I do know we need to get on with the appropriations bills. I don't see why appropriations should be held up because of nominations. I don't have any dog in that fight. I am ready to vote for nominations. I am ready to go on to the appropriations. But we simply can't hold up the appropriations bills like we are doing. It would seem to me Senators ought to get together on both sides of the aisle and work out this problem. For those who are concerned about nominations, I don't think appropriations should be held up because of nominations. What does the one have to do with the other? Many of these appropriations bills have been on the calendar now for more than 3 months, and they are just sitting there. So I appeal to our Members on both sides of the aisle to try to work together and let's get on with the appropriations bills. We are just marking time. We are not doing any good. The people out there, they are not concerned about our little problems--nominations versus appropriations. What does the one have to do with the other?”