On the recordMarch 12, 2013
as I rise to talk about the budget that was released in the House of Representatives, I want to first commend our chair Senator Mikulski and ranking member Senator Shelby for working together. I could not agree more with what Senator Shelby said about getting back to regular order and getting back together. This is an example of what we need to do. I want to commend both Senators. We obviously have very different points of view. People can come together and listen to each other and be willing to compromise, which is not a bad thing. I don't know any part of life where we don't compromise. I have been trying to figure that one out. When you have children, wouldn't it be nice not to have to compromise? Somehow we always have to. I want to commend both of our leaders on the Appropriations Committee. I am very hopeful we can return to regular order and hash out our very different perspectives and very different views of the country. I think we have seen that today with Chairman Ryan with the Republican budget. We will see a different view tomorrow with Chairman Murray coming through with a budget as we work through the budget in committee this week and then on the floor. This way reasonable people can sit down and listen to each other and find a path forward. Most importantly, I think if we listen to the American people we represent--their values and their priorities--we can move forward.…
