On the recordJanuary 10, 2019
if I could, very briefly. I am extremely disappointed. I can assure you, the majority leader, this is not a show vote issue with 800,000 Federal workers being denied their paychecks. The last time I checked the Constitution, we are a coequal branch of government, and we should act as a coequal branch of government and pass legislation that is overwhelmingly supported by this body. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader. Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, colleagues on the Democratic side of the aisle apparently pledged to oppose proceeding to other important bills--we have experienced that at least to this point--during the government shutdown even though there is no precedent for that. All but four yesterday voted against the motion to proceed to S. 1, and I am assuming they will vote against it again this afternoon. S. 1--the bill they are preventing us from going to--has wide bipartisan support and is a critical step in supporting our allies in the Middle East and securing peace in Syria. I have talked to many Americans who are intensely interested in the Israel issues. They don't understand why this important legislation would be stymied over a dispute over something entirely different. Through the Chair, I ask Senator Cardin if this blockade against business on the floor is absolute. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection. The Senator from Maryland may respond.
