On the recordJanuary 20, 2018
We are 3\1/2\ months into the fiscal year without a budget. Republicans are proposing to lurch along another month with no resolution in sight and no commitment to address critical investments. Democrats will not be a party to further delay. It is not a great mystery how to deal with this. We have done it each of the last 4 years. We must have a year-long budget in place with a bipartisan agreement to adjust the defense and nondefense caps so that we can pass our 12 appropriations bills. Democrats have been willing to enter into such agreement for at least 6 months. Republican leaders need to reject their Tea Party extremists and conclude a budget agreement across the aisle. We also must be assured of progress toward resolving the status of DREAMers, the 800,000 young people who were brought here as children and have known no other country. President Trump created a crisis in removing the DREAMers' protection. He asked Congress to devise a long- term solution; he then blew up the solution. They are dangerously exposed. We must address their dilemma.
