Mike Quigley: “Weeks ago, this body avoided a government shutdown by passing the Bipartisan Budget Act. Now we have to pass an omnibus.…”

“Weeks ago, this body avoided a government shutdown by passing the Bipartisan Budget Act. Now we have to pass an omnibus. Unfortunately, many of our appropriations bills contain divisive policy riders that threaten to create another partisan standoff. There is an appropriate time and place to debate these provisions: in the authorizing committees. It seems that some Members have learned nothing from the brinksmanship that almost led to a government shutdown. It is hard enough to pass these measures without these divisive, controversial riders. We need to put the unnecessary fighting behind us. The Bipartisan Budget Act represents a chance for us to return to reasonable compromises and regular order. I call upon my colleagues to follow up on that accomplishment and pass a clean omnibus package. ____________________”