Angie Craig: “In no way do I intend to speak behind your back. It is an important issue that you and I are concerned about. I think it…”

“In no way do I intend to speak behind your back. It is an important issue that you and I are concerned about. I think it was important to demonstrate what the real record of performance here is in the Senate under both Democrat and Republican leadership--how difficult it is to bring about the final processes of the appropriations. You and I would probably agree that maybe we need to look at the process because it hasn't worked very well. We have not been able to complete our work in a timely fashion, and it does take bipartisan cooperation. I have been frustrated in the last couple of weeks by quotes such as the one on this chart, which would suggest if the other side does absolutely nothing, somehow we would cave. Last week appeared--I know you had a different argument, and I agreed with you--not to debate an appropriations bill on the floor separate from another. That is not good for the process, not good for the legitimacy of getting our work done. But it did seem to purport and confirm the quote on this chart. Again, if I have in some way wronged you, I apologize openly before the Senate. But you and I both know that that which we say on the record is public domain. But I did not offer you the courtesy of calling you, and for that I apologize.”