On the recordMarch 12, 2013
I really want to thank my vice chairman, Senator Shelby, for being on the floor all day today in anticipation that we would have already voted on two amendments. I think he and I both regret the present situation. I would hope the Senator who has grave concerns and waited to read the bill could really finish it overnight. We worked every night, I must say, not only my staff, but in talking to the Senator, and we were available to each other by phone. I was talking to Congressman Rogers, our House counterpart, and we were working. I know that Saturday night we didn't close out until 9 o'clock at night; Sunday, not until 11 o'clock at night. That is why we wanted to get this over, so they could look at it. So I say to those holding up the bill, I would like you to work through the evening the way we worked through the evening. If you want to see if there are other issues--and we acknowledge the Senator's right to do that, but, really, we do not want to face a shutdown, and there is this other issue of the Budget Committee that we would like to get on the floor. What a great message to the American people that with good will and sensibility and give-and-take--and there was a lot of give-and-take--we can govern. My hope is that by the time we get to the end of next week--actually, the end of this week--we will have passed the continuing funding resolution and we will have passed a budget, with ample debate.…
