Political Quotes

“We are here today to fulfill one of Congress' most basic responsibilities: to fund our government and keep it working for the people. We are not doing that very well. It is the 23rd of December, the day before Christmas Eve. The weather is bad, Members--we will see how many--are here to fulfill their duty. This sweeping package is anything but garbage, as the previous speaker intoned. It is, in fact, the essence of supporting our national security, our domestic security, and the welfare of our people. That is not garbage. This sweeping package secures full-year appropriations for fiscal year 2023. In reality, Mr. Speaker, this bill should have been passed in September of this year. Why? Because the fiscal year ends on September 30, and fiscal year 2023 begins on October 1 of this year. The Senate had not passed a single appropriation bill by the end of the last fiscal year to provide for the fiscal year in which we are now operating. That ought to be unacceptable for the 535 of us who have been sent here to represent the American people in a responsible way and in a way that reflects that we are adults seized with the responsibility that the American people expect us to meet. Today, too late--but never too late to do the right thing--we will meet that responsibility.…”