On the recordOctober 18, 2019
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. Maybe we would both agree that it might be helpful if the four leaders--the Speaker, the minority leader, the Senate majority leader, and Senate minority leader--got in a room and agreed not to leave until they come up with an agreement so we can actually do our business and not wait that 60 days. The Secretary of Defense has made clear how damaging it is to our defense if we don't have a DOD appropriations bill passed and signed into law by the time this funding expires, how it hurts our men and women in uniform. Hopefully, they would all agree to go and have that conversation and, ultimately, get that resolved. Then, we can take care of more of the people's work. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. ____________________
