Barbara Mikulski: “first of all, I thank all of those advocating the highway bill for their courtesy in letting us bring this to the floor.…”

“first of all, I thank all of those advocating the highway bill for their courtesy in letting us bring this to the floor. Senator Johnson and I are deeply appreciative. I think we have just had a very good discussion. We have stated what we would like to do to move VA-MILCON in the most time-efficient way possible--with the least controversial bill. I am not going to have anything more to say about this tonight, but now that we have kind of put a lot of ideas out there, we have heard what the expression is of the vice chairman of Appropriations, I would hope that over the next 36 hours perhaps we could find a way forward to do the trifecta I am hoping for to serve America's veterans: pass the conference report that helps improve veterans health care--we have done one part of that now by approving Mr. McDonald--and all we would have to do before Thursday night is to finish VA-MILCON. So I intend to reach out across the aisle, and I appreciate the effort and courtesy and the cooperation of the highway Senators, who are moving this bill forward. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Connecticut.”