Haley Stevens: “it is with some regret that it is my job to bring before the Senate the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental…”

“it is with some regret that it is my job to bring before the Senate the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1999. Throughout the year, I have urged that we find a way to move on the individual appropriations bills so that we would avoid a repetition of what took place 2 years ago. Unfortunately, that request was not followed, despite the urging of the distinguished majority leader and minority leader to work with the Appropriations Committee. We were unable to finish the bills within the normal timeframe this year. We had an extremely difficult calendar because of the fact that Labor Day--the first Monday was the 7th of September. We then had the Jewish holidays which we were in recess for. We were just unable to finish in time. We had to get first one and then another and then another and now another continuing resolution in order to try and finish our work. I deeply regret the process that we are going through now. It is my task to present to the Senate, I think, the largest appropriations bill in a decade. Mr. President, it contains a grand total of $486.8 billion in appropriations. The regular appropriations bills are a total of $203 billion; the balance are in the supplemental and emergency appropriations. It has been a very difficult process to go through. We have had a series of meetings with representatives of the President and with our leaders.”