Jerry Moran: “I also share the chairman's congratulatory sentiments to all those who made this happen, particularly the staff, who did…”

“I also share the chairman's congratulatory sentiments to all those who made this happen, particularly the staff, who did work 24/7 around the clock. Madam Speaker, politics is the art of compromise, and this continuing resolution is the epitome of compromise. Members on the other side of the aisle dislike many aspects of this deal, as many Members on this side of the aisle dislike other aspects of this deal. The compromise reached by the negotiators produced a bill that was imperfect at best. However, it was the responsibile thing to do with a government shutdown looming. It does fund the Department of Defense for the remainder of the fiscal year, which is absolutely necessary for our troops currently in combat around the world. In the Interior and Environment portion, where I serve as ranking member, the details of the deal do show constructive compromise at work. I am pleased that all of EPA's environmental riders were dropped. But the agency was cut by $1.6 billion, mostly on the backs of States, with cuts to the safe drinking water and wastewater infrastructure programs. I guess when many Republican Governors have claimed that the stimulus money was wasteful spending, then they will not object too much to a reduction in these important infrastructure programs, even though it's coming out of the pockets of their States.…”