Haley Stevens: “I congratulate our leaders for this understanding. We are standing by ready to commence work on the 11 bills that are…”

“I congratulate our leaders for this understanding. We are standing by ready to commence work on the 11 bills that are the fiscal year 2003 appropriations bills. We have had great bipartisan work on our committee with the staff and the Members. I believe the Democratic leader is absolutely correct; we are prepared to work with anyone in the Senate to try to work out any details that might have to be considered. We look forward to working with Senator Daschle in every way possible so we can move these bills as quickly as possible. I speak as one who has just come back from my home in Alaska. We have the highest unemployment I have seen. Many of these bills contain money that would bring construction items and jobs to my State during this year. If we delay any further, we miss the construction season. These bills are vital to restart our economic engine. I am pleased to have this report that we are able to move forward on this continuing resolution. I can pledge the four leaders of the Appropriations Committees--of the House and Senate--on a bipartisan basis have agreed to work together to get these bills finished as rapidly as possible with the help of the leaders. I thank the leaders.”