Barbara Mikulski: “I am happy to join my distinguished colleague, the Senator from Missouri, to offer for Senate consideration the fiscal…”

“I am happy to join my distinguished colleague, the Senator from Missouri, to offer for Senate consideration the fiscal year 1997 conference report for the VA-HUD and independent agencies appropriations bill. With $84.7 billion in spending--$20.3 billion in mandatory spending and $64.3 in discretionary budget authority, this is one of the largest and most diverse appropriations measures we must consider. I am particularly pleased by our ability to achieve compromise on many complicated issues as we worked out this agreement with our colleagues in the House. This bill funds a tremendous diversity of agencies and programs. It is a challenge every year to develop a passable, signable bill that addresses a variety of concerns from all Members of Congress and the American people. By accepting our differences on many of the issues that plagued the VA-HUD and independent agencies appropriations bill last year, and prohibiting environmental riders, we have avoided being included in an omnibus continuing resolution, and Mr. President, to the credit of all involved, we have a signable bill.”